This is The Huddle for Veterans Day, 11/11/20

Good morning and welcome to The Huddle for today, Wednesday, November 11, 2020. It’s Veterans Day.

Your need to read time today is 90-seconds, as usual.

Honoring LGBTQ sports heroes who served our nation:

This athlete has navigated being queer and Black in football, the Army and the DC police department: Wilthalrio Coachman has found himself through semi-pro football, and as a police officer with a career in the military.

Bradley Kim found overwhelming support at Air Force, 7 years after Don’t Ask Don’t Tell: Football, Christianity, the military and the media all converge in Kim’s positive gay coming-out story.

From football to the Army, Christian Mays seeks out challenges: Christian Mays has carried his determination and drive into a career in the Army.

Marine wins Mr. Gay World USA: Matthew Simmons wears his Marine uniform and a swimsuit to claim the title.

Billy Bean on meeting one of his heroes, gay serviceman Eric Alva: Former Marine Eric Alva was the first purple heart recipient in the Iraq war. He was in charge of 11 Marines in a combat supply unit, when on March 21, 2003, he stepped on a landmine.. . and survived.

When outed, gay Sailor found buddies had his back: Conner Curnick, a college water polo player who served in the Navy, finds he can be his authentic self despite obstacles.

• Navy vet and water polo player Conner Curnick has found his muse in a DJ booth: DJ Conner Curnick is just starting his career mixing house music, playing a set for a virtual dance party.

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Your Outsports Headlines:

Soccer chief Greg Clarke steps down after comments deemed racist, sexist and homophobic

Soccer pro is entering GOAT territory playing alongside her girlfriend

What does Outsports mean to me? It’s all about community

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In other LGBT news...

There are only 15 Lesbian bars left in the nation. This campaign is trying to save them

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Also new this morning...

Roger Goodell says NFL will still consider alternative to onside kicks: ‘It merits a lot of discussion’

• NFL owners approve playoff, diversity measures

How Ben Simmons convinced the Sixers to wear black again

Celtics legend Tom Heinsohn passes away at age 86

Steve Cohen is a kindred spirit for long-suffering Mets fans (like me)

This bonkers trick shot during The Masters practice round is like something out of ‘Happy Gilmore’

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OutShouts:

Our friend strongman Rob Kearney, the World’s Strongest Gay, wrote an op-ed in BarBend in June that out UCLA softball coach Kirk Walker shared with the Equality Coaching Alliance group:

The Importance Of LGBTQ+ Visibility In Professional Strength Sports

“Growing up in a heteronormative society is not easy for LGBTQ+ youth. From a young age, we are taught that being straight is ‘normal’ and that’s it. We constantly see heterosexual relationships on TV and movies. We see praise for heterosexual celebrities when they marry. And we are constantly told that proud gay/lesbian couples who show their affection to one another are ‘sexually perverted’ or pushing an agenda.”

If you’re an LGBTQ person in sports looking to connect with others in the community, head over to GO! SPACE to meet and interact with other LGBTQ athletes, or to Equality Coaching Alliance to find other coaches, administrators and other non-athletes in sports.

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Highlights from Social Media:

I mentioned this in “other news” earlier. Even if you absolutely cannot stand golf, watch this:

You ever hear that expression, “Don’t look behind you, you’re not going that way”? Well, cyclist Brendan Housler of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. broke the rule to take this selfie on a HOT South Florida day a few weeks ago, and then shared it with the #gayathlete hashtag on Instagram.

Coach Anthony Nicodemo and his dog, Roscoe, took advantage of summer-like weather in the New York City suburbs and enjoyed a day on the water, one last time. From these photographs he shared on Twitter, he may own a boat but he is not a Trump supporter.

And that’s the end of the 2020 boating season!

Never did get an invite. There’s always next year, right? If you want your social media post to be included here, or to share one showcasing LGBTQ sports, email us the link at outsportshuddle@gmail.com or tag @Outsports on Instagram or Twitter!

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Podcast Du Jour

Nearly every day of the week, Outsports has a new podcast for your enjoyment. Today, Karleigh Webb and I are back in The Trans Sporter Room with the woman at the center of our story about the transgender teen who fought for his right to play, and won. Backed by his team and his parents, Bobby Jones pushed to change the policy of his hometown league in Washington state. His mom, Eleanor Jones, spoke about supporting her son, no matter what. Listen here:

This and all Outsports podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and on every platform where you find Outsports!

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Today’s Sports Calendar

SOCCER:

Click here for ESPN’s schedule of soccer action today.

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Share your thoughts in the comments below or email us at outsportshuddle@gmail.com

Thanks for reading all the way to the end. The next edition of The Huddle will appear tomorrow morning on Outsports.com Stay safe!